study at ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP PUBLIC HEALTH SCHOOLS

Since 1948, as Pennsylvania's first fully accredited graduate school of public health and the 13th in the nation, Pitt Public Health has been educating leaders, engaging in service and research, and translating research into public health practices and policies to improve the health of people regionally, nationally, and globally.

PITT PUBLIC HEALTH...

Has accredited programs in all major fields of public health practice and research, as well as health care administration and genetic counseling

Collaborates with Pitt’s five other schools of health sciences, as well as the schools of law, social work, and public and international affairs

Offers a unique learning connection to UPMC, the largest multihospital system in the state of Pennsylvania

Maintains close working relationships with other health care providers, governments, and communities

Provides a wide variety of student organizations to help you gain knowledge and experience in the field

Receives significant support from alumni, donors, and industry

Is a major research powerhouse – consistently one of the top five recipients of National Institutes of Health funding among all schools of public health

Share in the vision

As a graduate of one of the nation’s top public health schools, you’ll become part of Pitt Public Health’s vision to be a world leader in improving health.

And we have realized that vision by making many groundbreaking contributions that have influenced public health practice and medical care over the years. Among them are:

The earliest National Cancer Institute-funded biostatistical studies of steelworkers in the 1950s and their increased risk factor for lung cancer, which led to the first safety standards implemented by OSHA in the early 1970s.

Early trials on immunization showing gamma globulin injection was effective in preventing polio, that laid the theoretical groundwork for the subsequent development of the first Salk polio vaccine at the University of Pittsburgh.

Seminal studies of the systemic treatment of breast cancer and trials of the drug tamoxifen, which led to fewer radical mastectomies, more less-invasive lumpectomies, and improved survival rates, and the development of genetically targeted breast cancer therapies.

Establishment of the concept of gender-based biology in the 1990s, which highlighted the underrepresentation of women in biological studies and shed light on differences in rates of illness, metabolization of medications, and lifestyle-related health issues between men and women.

A study evaluating the health care provided to uninsured low-income children in Southwestern Pennsylvania, which ultimately swayed Congress to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to all 50 states.

Creation of the Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) Health Research, the world’s first certificate program geared toward LGBT health, whose studies found that HIV/AIDs risk factors are fueled by other behaviors, such as drug use, violence, child sexual abuse, and mental health issues, such as depression and social stigma.

And we are currently studying the public health implications of the Marcellus Shale industry and its effect on the environment, which will likely inform the health policies of the next decades.

Get a job in the field

Because we believe that becoming credentialed in public health is an important part of helping professionals stay on the cutting edge of the field, Pitt Public Health will cover the cost of your Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam, which is approximately $400.

For graduates who wish to strengthen their teaching skills, we also offer a special non-credit training credential, the Student Certification in Teaching Fundamentals, which covers teaching methods, mentoring/advising, classroom methods, and ethical issues.

In addition, Pitt Public Health offersextensive career services to help you compose a strategic and effective job campaign in your field of study and/or interest. These services are available while you are in school and even after you graduate. A variety of career planning services are offered, including:

skill-building workshops for resume writing and mock interviews,

online job-matching,

special events like career fairs and the Alumni-Student Networking Breakfast,

other alumni networking opportunities, and

individual career counseling by appointment.

What do new graduates Do?

The snapshots below reflect school-wide graduate outcomes from the 2015-16 academic year. To see this information by department, including sample jobs and employers, access the AY15-16 report (PDF).

OVERALL Status

Employment Sectors

Location by Outcome

Plan a visit

Want to explore interest areas and career options, find the best fit among our degree programs and departments, and meet students and faculty?

Visit the school, participate in an information session, or attend our annual Open House each fall.

Why Pittsburgh?

We're in one of the best cities in the country, no lie... a "most livable" burgh, loved by tech nerds, foodies, outdoor adventurers, artists, and home-bodies. Find out why.

Talkin' about Pittsburgh

First Vice Chancellor for Science Policy and Research Strategies Named

@PITT - Michael Holland has been named Pitt's first-ever vice chancellor for science policy and research strategies. Holland’s responsibilities will include the development and implementation of University research policies and of strategies to support collaborations across the sciences, medicine, ... (10/17/2018)

WPXI - The annual “Livability Survey,” which ranks 140 cities on factors like stability, health care, culture, education and infrastructure on a scale of 1-100, was released this week. Pittsburgh came in at number 32 overall, the top city in the continental United States and only behind Honolulu fo... (08/22/2018)

THE DAILY MEAL - A hardcore sports town, Pittsburgh’s healthy economy has resulted in a lot happening here, from great food to extensive entertainment. Home to many colleges and universities, Pittsburgh is a bastion for arts and culture, as well as academia, and in addition to the many events on ca... (08/15/2018)

New Vice Chancellor named as Pitt marks another record-breaking year in innovation

PITTWIRE - Under the leadership of EVAN FACHER (HUGEN '97), Pitt innovators started a record 23 new companies in FY18. Facher now moves into the new position of vice chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship. “Pitt faculty and students are constantly pushing the boundaries of discovery across ... (08/02/2018)